Australia Human Rights Commission: African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusio

Excerpts from the Australian Human Rights Commission 2010 Report: African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues

Education:

African Australians who took part in the consultations stressed how important education was in ensuring good outcomes in other parts of their life, such as health and well-being and employment. Access to education was seen as an essential component in their successful settlement into Australia. Young people said they wanted to learn and to succeed academically. Many wanted to complete tertiary studies and find employment in different professions. However, consultations with community members, service providers and stakeholders indicated that African Australians often encounter negative experiences when attending schools, universities and other educational institutions.There was a common view expressed that schools and education institutions generally lack the cultural competency and the flexibility to properly meet the needs of African Australian students. Experiences of discrimination and racism, within and beyond the school environment, were regularly highlighted during the consultations.

Experiences of School Students:

So many of us are getting through and achieving all sorts of things. My brother is now a biochemist and my sister is a teacher. This really shows how determined we are. Youth focus group, Victoria

African Australian young people in every state and territory said that discrimination, prejudice and negative attitudes about their ability to succeed were a constant part of their education experience.[1]

Many young people, especially girls, recounted being told by some teachers that they “shouldn’t aim too high” to avoid disappointment and were actively discouraged from pursuing further education. They also felt unfairly targeted for not knowing class rules or how to behave in different social settings:

I didn’t know that you had to put your hand up, and I was always getting into trouble for doing that. I also didn’t know the rules about wearing the uniform properly. Youth focus group, Northern Territory

It’s embarrassing when I think about it, but even things like not knowing what you have to bring when they say it’s [Kris Kringle] and other things like that. Youth focus group, South Australia

Stereotyped views of women’s capacities to learn were also repeatedly raised as a barrier for women, particularly young women:You can be locked in as a young woman. One the one hand the wider society looks at you and thinks you don’t have the intelligence to learn, and then within your own family and community there might be cultural issues and values that means it’s hard for you as a girl or woman to study.

Community consultation, Tasmania

A number of students reported finding the school curriculum very challenging, particularly if their proficiency in English was still limited. This also meant they felt anxious and self-conscious about participating in classroom discussions. African Australian young people also spoke of their unfamiliarity with the teaching and learning styles of Australian schools, while several newly-arrived students expressed frustration at being placed in classes to match their chronological age, rather than ones that reflected their educational attainment:I am in a class with people who are my age, but they forget that I have been in the camps for a few years, and I did not go to school. Sometimes this makes me feel stupid.

Youth focus group, Victoria

Another major issue of concern was the lack of appropriate support available to them at school, including a lack of people who could understand the background and culture of African Australians. A number of young African Australians said they sometimes felt blamed by teachers for tensions in the schoolyard and that they were often accused of starting fights. They also reported that they did not feel accepted by their peers and struggled to feel as though they belonged:You start to feel like an outsider and then you get desperate and angry and you think ‘will I ever be part of this place?’

Youth focus group, South Australia

The negative effects of these experiences on young African Australians can include low self esteem; reduced motivation; increased delinquency; depression and other health problems, particularly linked with using drugs and alcohol; and a greater likelihood of encountering problems with the law.

Despite these concerns, young African Australians also shared positive experiences of school, which often involved receiving affirmation and support from their teachers:

It makes a big difference when the teacher says to you in front of the other students that you did very well in an assignment. It tells everyone else that you are intelligent.

Youth focus group, Tasmania

Several also said it was important to promote positive role models for young African Australians. This would help build their pride and motivation, as well as counter negative perceptions and stereotypes of young African Australians.

Experiences of tertiary students:

Several tertiary students reported feeling inadequately prepared when starting university, even though they had finished preparation courses to assist them with the transition:

I just didn’t feel ready. For starters, even though my English improved, I was still struggling with computers and how to use them properly for things like research. Youth focus group, South Australia

They said they frequently found the culture of Australian educational institutions alienating and had difficulties with their academic studies and forming friendships with others. Some had established small, informal groups for support: We decided that no one else was going to help us, so we are helping ourselves. We meet regularly and talk about the challenges and how we can help each other out. It really helps address problems of isolation and also just basic friendship needs. Youth focus group, South Australia

Some tertiary students also found the emphasis on a teaching style which encourages students to challenge their lecturers to be particularly confronting, especially given their cultural expectation that young people should respect the views of their elders.

Read more: Australian Human Rights Commission

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[1] Experiences of racism in schools have been validated in recent research, such as the The Impact of Racism upon the Health and Wellbeing of Young Australians (2009) by Professor Fethi Mansouri et al for the Foundation for Young Australians.